SUCCESSFUL DAIRYING

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3795, 14 August 1936, Page 3

SUCCESSFUL DAIRYING

CARE OF THE SEPARATOR. The amount of cream which is lost through worn and neglected separators is not always realised by the dairy farmer. Every care and attention must be given the machine, and proper adjustments' made, so that it will render the best service. A common cause of failure in the machine is not having the separator on a perfectly level foundation, and Securely fastened down. Besides causing wear to the gearing, a shaky machine allows the re-mixing of the cream and lighter liquid after they have been separated. The separator should be lubricated with good quality oil, as recommended by the makers and the oil in the bath should be changed occasionally. Owing to the high rotative speeds of the .bowl the gearing and spindle bearing have to be very accurately made, with fine clearances. If these clearances become greater through wear, vibration is set up, resulting in less efficient skimming.

All separators should be gone over at least once a year and all worn parts replaced. After an overhaul the user should get a test of the skim milk to see that adjustments and cream screw setting are correct, and if the butterfat content is over .03 per cent, further adjustments are necessary.

If the screw is adjusted for a yery rich cream there is a tendency to decrease the efficiency of the machine and further losses through the cream sticking to the sides results. Bad skimming, while frequently due to the bowl out of level, or -wear and vibration, may be due to incorrect speed. A lowering of speed by 10 rev. per minute below the maker’s recommendation may affect the butterfat content of the skimmed milk to double the quantity. The machine should be driven evenly and smoothly. Driven by an electric motor or oil engine, better skimming results are obtained because the speed is maintained at an even rate. The machine should be started up slowly, gradually increasing in speed to normal. When power driving special friction pulleys should be used to attain this, or if fast and loose pulleys are used the belt should be moved across gradually. Milk should not be allowed to get too cool before separating. Cool milk in winter time has a greater viscosity, making it harder to separate, thus decreasing the efficiency of the separator.

Thorough washing is important in efficient separation. Any collection of thick material in the cream and milk passages and bowl shell prevents complete separation. The bowl should be taken apart and all fixtures properly cleansed immediately after use. Too often the dairy farmer omits to give the separator the attention - it deserves and also forgets to watch the points mentioned above. Proper care will prolong the life of the machine and reduce wear. Corrections are usually quite simple and replacements inexpensive, but in the case of a badly worn machine it is cheaper to purchase a new one. A worn-out separator is a bad financial proposition.